Keep stuff away from chain!

Bought new Z1 way back in 1974. Rode down Garden State Pkwy in NJ toward NJ shore. Had extra helmet strapped behind me. Had heavy flannel shirt stuffed into helmet. No problem for ~30 miles. Blasted out of 25 cent toll plaza, clicked into 5th at ~65 MPH, felt "sudden" slowdown, fairly severe wobble, then RPM WAY up as bike straightened out while coasting along.

Stopped along right side shoulder, got off, noticed chain dragging on ground. Also noticed pieces of red flannel all over. Rapidly figured out that shirt had managed to get out of helmet and get into chain. Pulled so hard on #630 chain it freakin' BROKE! Also slightly bent swingarm on chain side. Still have broken section of chain.

Two riders behind me said it was quite a show, as red flannel flew into the air behind me. Don't carry stuff that can get into ZX10 chain anymore!
Benesesso

Hi Benesesso
just saw your post
great story.....and a warning to all..strap it on properly
I saw your location is.... Milan
Where 'zactly?
why do i ask?
I have friends who live in Milan
Pogliano st Cesano Boscone....
anywhere close????
pity is I can't get him on a bike.....

cheers

Yoda

Ahh, Milan. I remember it well....

Actually, I've never been there, but heck, isn't it good to dream.

Jason

Friends of mine went there and loved it so much they named their first born son after it....

Have other friends who called their daughter Venice for the same reason!

Wonder if I should call my first born Cairo....

Smitty 1955,
Your friend lives about 4 miles due west of the center of Milano. I work right on the NE corner of Milan, and live about 25 mi. north.

I like Venice (Venezia) and Rome (Roma) better than Milano, but all of them are far better than anyplace I've lived in the US (NJ [don't tell anyone, OK?], PA and AZ).

Had my ZX10 and Hawk shipped over here a few years ago-in 1998. Still have old, expired AZ plates on them. Traded a KLR650 for my VF1000R here. I ride both big ones, and have stored the little Hawk in my garage.

I have thousands of photos-if anyone wants any, let me know.

Benesesso (I made up the word from bene (good) and sesso (sex).

Ahh, Milan. I remember it well....

Actually, I've never been there, but heck, isn't it good to dream.

Jason

I have... and Jase, you should go...
I prefer northern Italy....ya know...
Venice Tuscany the Italian lakes (Como etc ... blah blah)
and yes Milan....
you can see 'The Last Supper'..the painting by D'Vinci
which is housed in this little church...
the shopping is amazing...Milan is the fashion capital etc etc
the food and restaurants are fantastic
D'uomo has to be seen to be appreciated
and as a copper...
you would be AMAZED at what the Italians do.....
stopping at red lights is optional
they drive around a roundabout the wrong way...to avoid the traffic!
and the kids on their scooters..think the road continues
on footpaths, peoples front gardens and in shopping centres...
oh
and they drive VERY fast......
as a copper you might also like to know...that they ignore the Polizie
its the Carabinieri that you worry about..

cheers

yoda

Smitty 1955,
Your friend lives about 4 miles due west of the center of Milano. I work right on the NE corner of Milan, and live about 25 mi. north.
snip
Benesesso (I made up the word from bene (good) and sesso (sex).

aaaah you're out towards Monza then?
and as one who has a smattering of Italian
I had a chuckle over your 'user' name...
I remembered that 'bene' was good...
had to look at the dictionary for the 'sesso'

cheers

yoda

Monza is only a couple of miles north of Milano, so I live way north of there-on a line between Como and Lecco-great area for riding.

They actually drive pretty civilized around here. New laws on the books. They give you 20 points, then subtract for violations. People w/less than 5 years experience have double the points subtracted. When you reach 0 you walk-big penalties for continuing to drive. All riders are now supposed to wear helmets-no more 50cc exemption. Only Naples (Napoli) down south "does its own thing". THAT'S where they drive like you describe! The speed limit on most of the Autostradas is 130 kph, but the big penalties start at 170, so a lot of people cruise along at 168. Try going that slow on a German Autobahn and you had better not be in the left lane! I've had people blow by me while running 210+!

Couple of years ago I had a meeting back in Phoenix (my company) and was idling along at 75 mph in a stupid 55 zone-in a cage. Got pulled over. Explained to cop that I had just left Italy, was returning there the next day, and couldn't believe how slow the driving was in AZ--after 4 years in Italy. Got off with a knowing smile and a warning! Worst thing is I'll probably have to return to AZ permanently in 2.5--3 years-damn!

things must have changed a bit.... its about 4 -5 years since we last
stayed with our friends in Milan (they came here...Oz.. 2 years ago)
Como...Lecco...beautiful countryside for a ride...
and lunch in Bellagio....what more can one say.....
cross the lake.... have a look around somewhere like Villa Carlotta...
great roads for riding on....

re driving habits in Italy....
something had to give I suppose...the first time we visited
our friends (who were driving the Fiat) sailed thru a red light
(OK..... It was 11 o'clock at night) but it surprised me...
driving around Milan for the next week or so.... gave me insights into how
the Italians drive...guess it is about time some sense of law and order
prevailed...

speeding.....?
you are right...mind you the lawsetters here in Oz could learn from what happens in Europe....